Friends and Family,

March – Hi, again! Spring is just about to break out and we’re looking forward to shaking off the cold. We did get a few inches of snow, but it didn’t last long. We’ve been taking it easy – getting out just a bit. We spent a couple of days in Scottsdale and have been to a few local concerts and shows. Now we’re preparing for some family visits and showing them around all the best Northern Arizona has to offer.

As promised, I’m checking in on our fundraising effort for this year’s Race for Hope. So far, we have raised just over $2,000 – halfway to our goal. I won’t make it to this year’s event in DC on May 5th, but that hasn’t lessened my commitment to helping this cause. I hope you’ll consider donating, and perhaps joining the walk. If you can’t participate you can still contribute by hitting the “Donate” button. We’ve proven through the years that your individual contributions can lead to big results. Please help us maintain that momentum.

I’ll send out one more reminder in April a couple weeks ahead of the walk. Until then, get out and enjoy the Spring thaw.

Gratefully, Lisa

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January – Hello, everyone! Happy New Year! I hope you all are well. I’m sitting here in Arizona looking out at a spectacular view across Prescott Valley to Mingus Mountain. Just beyond that are Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona, and the snow-covered San Francisco peaks near Flagstaff. It’s all so different than Virginia – very new and interesting for us. We’ve been in Arizona since July and are having a great time! The new house is very comfortable, the neighbors are nice, and there are so many new things to do. My health is just ok. My balance is a constant challenge now - so glad to be in a one-level home. I’m using a cane to help spot me, and we do use the wheelchair when out for long walks around arts and crafts shows, touring sites, Christmas in downtown Prescott and the New Year’s Eve cowboy boot drop from the historic Palace Saloon. I’ve connected with my new doctors in Phoenix. We’ve done a couple MRI cycles and everything remains the same. We continue the good fight.

I’m reaching out as this is the time of year when I kick off my fundraising campaign for the National Brain Tumor Society’s (NBTS) Race for Hope. My team and I have participated in this annual event every non-Covid year since 2010. I don’t think we’ll be able to attend the DC event this year as the commute is a bit too much. There aren’t any similar events in our region, so we’ll just have to participate in a virtual manner. This year’s walk will be held Sunday, May 5th. A few walkers on our team have expressed their intent to participate and that is wonderful (see links herein for more details). I’ll do my best to continue the fundraising campaign and will support our walkers in spirit.

Our “Fitchett’s Friends - Kicking Cancer” team has consistently been one of the more successful fundraising teams over the years. Last year we surpassed the remarkable total of $100,000. This is your opportunity to join me in contributing to NBTS’s research and treatment for brain tumors. As in year’s past, I’ll send out a couple more reminders before May and we’ll do our best to help the cause. Whether you walk or not, please consider a contribution by using the “Donate Now” button on my personal page. I know there are many great causes to choose from. I hope you’ll consider this one as well. Please forward to anyone you think might be interested.

From the high-country of Northern Arizona, I wish you all the best in the new year! Take care, Lisa